This cathedral was the first church to be built in Lisbon and has a great altar and stained glass windows. The exterior of the chuch is better than the interior though.

Largo da Sé, in the Alfama district, on the way to the Castelo de São Jorge;
tel: 21 886 67 52

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The Lisbon metro is cheap and fast for getting from the city centre to some of the suburbs and vice versa. The stations are clean and the trains are efficient. There are only four lines which are colour coded (green, blue, yellow and red) so it's easy to see which line you want. Each one is clearly signposted. A single journey costs 70 cents but it is much cheaper to buy a book of 10 tickets for 6.50 euros.

www.metrolisboa.pt

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Take tram no 28, which goes through Lisbon's oldest parts - Estrela, Chiado, Lapa. The trams in Lisbon are cheap and a scenic (but not necessarily fast) way of getting around the city.

tel: 21 361 3000;
www.carris.pt

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A small square where the locals of the Estrela and Chiado districts meet. It features a statue of Portugal's most famous poet - Luis de Camoes.

Tram 28 takes you from the Praca de Comercio to the Basilica da Estrela. From there it is a 5 minute walk;
Metro: Baixa-Chiado, exit to Chiado (upper) and walk up to Camões, it's straight ahead;
www.golisbon.com/sight-seeing/camoes-square.html

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These gardens are a haven of peace in the centre of the Estrela district with excellent views of the Tejo river and the Ponte 25 de Abril.

Tram 28 goes from the Praça do Comércio to the Basilica da Estrela. From there it is only a 5 minute walk.

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These districts are some of the friendliest and oldest parts of Lisbon. Some of the houses are superb. Markets often take place in the winding streets which contain small cafes and shops. Avoid the Lapa district after dark though.

A 20-25 minute walk to the west of the Praca de Comercio, or there are plenty of trams from here to Estrela and Chiado if you don't want to walk.

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This broad boulevard with a pedestrianised centre in the middle is the Portuguese equivalent of the Champs Elysees. Some cheap but good restaurants lie either on or near to this avenue.

In the heart of Lisbon, stretching up from the Praca de Comercio to the statue of the Marques de Pombal.

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A spacious park with a relaxing atmosphere.

At the northern end of the Avenida da Liberdade, is is a 20 min walk up from the Praca do Comercio; Nearest metro: Marques de Pombal

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A popular restaurant for Lisbonites and for tourists alike, so booking is recommended. The traditional Portuguese fado singers begin at 9.15pm prompt. You can't come to Portugal and not listen to a fado. There is no admission fee but a small cover charge instead. The food is top class.

91 Rua da Norte, Bairro Alto;
tel: 21 322 4640

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A spectacular museum with fine examples of European and Japanese art by Bosch, Raphael and many more artists. It contains the beautiful 'Veneration of St Vincent' which is the most important painting in Portugal. A return visit is necessary to appreciate it properly.

Rua das Janelas Verdes 1249-017, in the Chiado district. Tram 28 stops right outside the museum;
tel: 21 391 2800;
www.mnarteantiga-ipmuseus.pt (in Portugese)

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The Cafe Martinho da Arcada was a favourite haunt of the famous poet Fernando Pessoa. It's elegant, chic and friendly (but not cheap).

Praça do Comércio 3, near the Triumphal Arch at the northern end;
tel: 21 886 6213

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The Castelo dos Mouros offers astounding views of the hills around Sintra and of the Atlantic Ocean. But watch out for slippery stones on the castle walls (especially when wet) as it's a long way down if you fall! When I went there was mist over the hills which made it very eerie.

Pena Road. About 3.5 km from Old Quarter, on the road to Pena Palace (buses go from Sintra's train station);
Regular trains from Sete Rios station or Entrecampos station (Estação Rossio closed at time of writing). Journey time is less than an hour;
www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/sintra

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Sintra is a beautiful town set in spectacular mountain scenery. Must-see sights are the Palacio da Pena (like something out of Disneyland), Palacio Nacional and the Castelo dos Mouros.

All of the sights are a 10 minute walk from Sintra's train station and sturdy shoes are a must. A bus goes up the steep hill to the palaces and castle from the station.

Sintra lies 30km to the west of Lisbon. Regular trains from Sete Rios station or Entrecampos station (Estação Rossio closed at time of writing). Journey time is less than an hour;
www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/sintra/

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A towering glass structure in the Wola district of Warsaw. It is a beautiful symbol of how Warsaw is becoming a thriving, cosmopolitan capital city to rival Berlin or Moscow. A futuristic building for a new Poland.

Ul. Chlodna 51, Wola;
tel: 22 528 22 22;
www.wtt.pl

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This is the tallest skyscraper in central Europe and is the symbol of Warsaw. It was built as a “proof of friendship” of Russia to the Polish people. It is one of Poland's most modern buildings. Inside are art galleries, theatres and shops.

Plac Defilad 1, in the very centre of Warsaw, next to Centrum metro station;
www.pkin.pl

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This forest is great for walks but even better for biking. The tourist office in Krakow can provide clear maps showing the cycle routes from the city centre to the forest. Bikes can be hired from numerous places (listed below, or ask the tourist office).

The Wolski Forest is set in the glorious hills which lie to the west of Krakow.

Bike hire

Jordan Travel Agency
ul. Dluga 9; tel: 421 21 25, fax 422 82 26;
Open 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 09:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.

Sport MG
ul. Topolowa 6; tel: 430 40 21;
Open 11:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

Two Wheels (Dwa Kolo)
ul. Józefa 5; tel: 421 57 85;
Open 09:00 - 20:30;
www.dwakola.org

Krakow tourist office: www.krakow.pl/en/

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Sernik Krakowski is the heavenly local equivalent of cheesecake. It is rich and tastes gorgeous.

Widely available in Krakow's food shops and markets.

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If you're feeling peckish whilst walking around Krakow try the local pretzel-like speciality of obwarzanki. They are tasty and very cheap.

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If you are going to go all the way to Krakow then you should seriously consider staying in Zakopane, which is set in the picturesque peaks of the Tatra mountains.

The people are friendly and the cultural traditions of this part of Poland are kept alive for all to admire and enjoy. It costs nothing to walk the peaks of Poland's highest mountain - Rysy and to breathe in the pure fresh air.

Zakopane and the Tatra mountains lie 150km to the south of Krakow. You can either take the train or the bus. The bus is quicker (2.5 hours) and a lot cheaper than the train;
www.zakopane-life.com

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Wawel was the residence of the Polish kings when Krakow was the capital of Poland. Walk around the walls for endless views of the Tatra mountains and the Wisla (Vistula) river. Don't miss the tapestries, cathedral and tombs of the past royal residents of this breathtaking castle.

Wawel is a 10 minute walk away from the main market square;
www.wawel.krakow.pl/emenu.htm

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